Whats The Definition Of "Believe"?

[David Sklansky]

Isn't it just that you think it is more likely than not? That certainly is true in non religious connotations.

And if you agree with that it means that atheists believe there is no God. Its not just that they have no reason to believe in God. Because as with godboy's red keyboard, if there is in fact no reason to believe in God or the existence of that keyboard, than they are giant underdogs to be true. Even theists would agree with that obvious fact.

[chezlaw]

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Isn't it just that you think it is more likely than not? That certainly is true in non religious connotations.

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No it isn't but it explains why much of what you say appears silly when we believe it isn't.

chez

[luckyme]

1) I believe the first card will be above above a 7.
2) I believe the first card will often be above a 7.
3) I believe the first card has a 51% chance of being above a 7.

the fact that I will place an even money bet on 'over' in each of those cases does not mean my belief is the same in each case because it certainly isn't.

"Do you believe you should bet on Over"
all should answer 'yes'.

is not the same question as
"Do you believe the next card will be Over".
Limited to yes-no, the responses should be -
1) yes.
2) no.
3) no.

luckyme

[godBoy]

I believe something that I see as truthful.

[bunny]

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Isn't it just that you think it is more likely than not? That certainly is true in non religious connotations.

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I dont think so, although it's true that if I believe something and I am rational then I think it is more likely than not. The reverse doesnt follow though - I am about 60% sure I will buy the house I am currently renting, but I wouldnt say it was sure enough that I believe I will buy it.

Also, people have irrational beliefs (whether we like it or not) and your definition will probably break down there also.

[MidGe]

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I believe something that I see as truthful.

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Me too... and I disbelief something that contradicts what I see and is therefore untruthful (after enough investigation, of course).

[Subfallen]

Isn't asking about belief in God futility itself until we've decided on a definition of "God?"

IMO just the five participants in the other thread (vhawk, PTB, godBoy, chezLaw, MidGe) would have trouble agreeing on a common definition that captures all the essential qualities of their preferred individual definitions. Not the least because godBoy is a Christian (in some sense.)

[.Alex.]

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Isn't it just that you think it is more likely than not? That certainly is true in non religious connotations.


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Nah. In most situations "believe" is used the same as "think." For example, "I believe people are naturally good" or "I believe I did well on the last exam." This requires much more than the 50% threshold of certainty that "more likely than not" is based on. You don't hear many people say, "I believe I'll win my race with 22 vs AK."

Obviously this varies, but I'd say most people would only use "believe" if they are at least 80% sure of something.

[godBoy]

I'm happy with Dawkins' definition of God.

There exists a superhuman, supernatural intelligence who deliberately designed and created the universe and everything in it, including us.

[David Sklansky]

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[ QUOTE ]
Isn't it just that you think it is more likely than not? That certainly is true in non religious connotations.


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Nah. In most situations "believe" is used the same as "think." For example, "I believe people are naturally good" or "I believe I did well on the last exam." This requires much more than the 50% threshold of certainty that "more likely than not" is based on. You don't hear many people say, "I believe I'll win my race with 22 vs AK."

Obviously this varies, but I'd say most people would only use "believe" if they are at least 80% sure of something.

[/ QUOTE ]

So what do you call people who think there was a 70% chance that Jesus was ressurected?